As Chen Deng was starting； Chen Gui said to him； 〃Remember the words of Cao Cao； that the business of the east is in our hands。 Now is our moment； for Lu Bu is about to suffer defeat。〃
〃Father； I can look after the outside。 But when Lu Bu returns beaten； you must arrange with Mi Zhu to keep him out of the city。 I shall find a means of escape；〃 said Chen Deng。
〃His family is here； and he has many friends。 How about them？〃
〃I also have a scheme to settle them。〃
Then Chen Deng went to see Lu Bu； to whom he said； 〃Xuzhou is surrounded； and this city will be fiercely attacked。 We ought to provide for possible retreat； and I advise storing grain and money in Xiapi。 We could retreat there if the day went adversely。 Why not see about this in good time？〃
〃Your words are indeed wise。 I will also send my wives and little ones thither；〃 said Lu Bu。
The family left under escort of Wei Xu and Song Xian； and with them was sent much grain and treasures and coins。
And then the soldiers marched to the relief of the pass。 About half way there Chen Deng said； 〃Let me go first to reconnoiter so that you； my lord； may advance with confidence。〃
Thus Chen Deng parted pany with his chief and preceded him to the pass where he was received by Chen Gong。
Chen Deng said； 〃The General greatly wonders why you do not advance。 He is going to inquire into it。〃
〃The enemy is in great force； and we cannot be too careful；〃 said Chen Gong。 〃We are holding the pass； and you should persuade our master to take steps to guard Xiaopei。〃
Chen Deng said； 〃Your words are true。〃
That evening he went up to the heights from which he could see Cao Cao's army； which was quite close to the pass。 Then he wrote three notes； tied them